I have an idea for a mute character but I’m trying to think of an idea for him to still be able to communicate with people that doesn’t include carrying some paper and writing utensils.
Would there be an equivalent to ASL within the WoW universe?
As far as I know (correct me if I am wrong) there is no sign language being officially used in wow lore, but I like the idea of having a mute character. My worgen dk, Soleondra, became mute after becoming a worgen and when she does have to say something, she uses sign language. I personally love the idea of having a form of ASL in game even if its just through rpg (although having it in game would be great too) so I would say go for it.
In terms of magic use, ofc theres examples of being able to convey your thoughts to someone else through magic. You could do that but I would say go with sign language instead.
I get that the OP wants to make use of Sign Language as a means in place of talking, but I felt like elaborating on other means and methods that mute characters could use in the Warcraft universe to facilitate communication with others that isn’t just ‘writing it down’.
As we don’t really have an equivalent to ASL in the Warcraft universe, luckily enough there’s a ton of options that you can do! And arguably, more fun! Specifically you can use magic! With a mage you could simply have the words you want to say appear floating in the air via arcane magic, or transcribing themselves onto a special piece of parchment…Or a Frost mage could speak through their water construct…
Same goes with Shamans and Druids! You can have your elementals speak for you or have the trees whisper what you need to be said by having a connection with nature. Or have utilize something 'the small bird frittered about on your shoulder why your partner asked which direction your party should go. When they were finished you nodded to the bird who chirped sharply before flying to the left path, landing in the middle of the cobblestones and hopping back and forth as it bobbed it’s head".
With Shamans it can be a case of “Your companion asked which path you wished to take, and with a nod you reached down and placed a hand on the ground, closing your eyes for a moment as you spoke through the spirits of the earth. A moment later the stones on the left path began rising and falling, showing which direction you wished to go”. Or you could go a more direct route and just say what you want through your summoned elemental, with the added bonus of your elemental having it’s own character and throwing it’s own spin on what you’re saying, which could silently aggravate your own character.
Warlocks, same concept but depending on your connection with the demon you’re using, it could either be as simple as agreeing with you or if you’ve got a contentious partnership with the demon, it could try to play the angles as a means to hurt or kill you and thus free itself from bondage.
Rogues and Hunters could use engineering trinkets that make them sound like goblins or gnomes, much like the Siege of Orgrimmar boss fight with either pre-recorded statements or some kind of voice-box that could squelch and squeal and not always work right and say the wrong words, etc. You could utilize tiny mechanical creations to speak for you ala the above examples of familiars with hilarious and/or darkly humorous examples. the Butter Bot from Rick & Morty, for example if you want to be dark about it.
Or you could be humorous about it and be like “Gnimo says that the master would like to turn right {ERROR} Left!”
Other engineering examples can also include (with the consent of your RP partner) using the Gnomish Mind Control Cap, with or without the humor aspect. Personally I think it’d be a hilarious moment if it backfires and suddenly the person that was going to speak for you ends up in your head unable to speak for a brief moment.
Tons and TONS of things you can do with engineering! I’m particularly fond of this angle because the options are nearly limitless.
Death Knights could just use their ghouls or the risen dead to speak, which can get really dark if you wanted. It could just be a s plain as ‘the death knight’s voice wheezed out of the rotting corpse before them, a dark echo of the Orc’s voice’ to ‘the corpse next to them shuddered violently for a moment before it’s dead eyes shone with hauntingly blue light and it’s body took on a more rigid pose that betrayed the level of rot on it’s carcass. “The…the master desires…to go…left” came a raspy, ruined female voice’.
Or go full into the horror aspect of it and have the soul of the corpse speaking from the runeblade and making a big dramatic deal about it, begging for release, refusing to cooperate before before ultimately having to bend to the will of the Death Knight. You could even play up the soul having it’s own character arc and trying to somehow escape, either to be reborn or just pass on to the Shadowlands.
Monks would be fun, if a little challenging, to portray I think. The whole balance of the universe, utilizing the signs they see to inform their decision and the universe speaking on their behalf. “The monk listened to their companion, thinking upon what path to take. That was when they saw it, a single cherry blossom on the wind twirling down the left path. The monk smiled and began following the blossom, content in that this was the correct path the universe had laid before them”. Really get into that connection and play up that aspect of the class.
Demon Hunters, I mean I guess you could go similar to how Warlocks do things, either demons you’ve befriended (ala the Illidari demons) or simply forcing the demon to speak for you through pain.
Paladins and Light-based Priests would simply utilize the Light. I don’t have much for this one given that I feel like they could, outside of a Fel-induced wound or other magical barrier, simply heal the damage to their voice. Shadow Priests, however, could use their Shadow minions or mind control others to speak.
Warriors would be bound by their character arc and personality. Is the Left path safe and easy? Are there more enemies to fight on the Right path? Is the Left path a cowardly route? You could utilize them using their swords or other weapons as means of communicating. Point the blade, tapping it against something, etc.
You could always go full emote and suggest what you’re trying to get across with your actions. That’s the best way I could think of making mute work.
I wanted to do something with a deaf character. It pretty hard to ignore everything though XD.
I don’t see why there wouldn’t be some sort of hand-signing language, even if it’s just a rudimentary one. All the races do some sort of hand gestures, so obviously there’s at least some motions that have meaning.
My suggestion, is buddy up with someone who can be your translator, someone who would know your character well enough to start to understand your motions and meanings (on the possibility that having a formal sign language system isn’t considered kosher). If you can’t pair up with a reliable RP partner, see if you can get your hands on an appropriate pet (something that can talk) and puppet them to translate for you.
I love all these marvelous ideas!